re: Anyone OTer have / used a taser?Posted by jmarto1 on 2/20/13 at 7:11 am to Fat Man

If you are looking to carry something nonlethal then just get a good pepper spray. Had an incident a few weeks ago at work where my detail cop had to use both a taser and pepper spray. The guy had on a hoodie causing the taser not to work completely and he had to break out the spray. Also, the spray will be easier to carry around without having to worry about concealment laws.

jbgleasonLSU FanBTR, suck it all you hatersMember since Mar 20128314 posts Online

re: Anyone OTer have / used a taser?Posted by jbgleason on 2/20/13 at 7:52 am to Fat Man

I have used one/had it used on me (in training) and it sucks BUT it is a compliance tool and not a true self defense measure. What are you trying to accomplish? Because, as a private citizen, you better be "in fear of great bodily harm or death or protecting another from the same" before you use ANY force. The Taser isn't something you get to use on a neighborhood teenager because he is egging your house and if some dude is breaking into your home at night with a weapon you need to SHOOT him and not taser him. I have personally witnessed the Taser fail multiple times for a variety of reasons (despite what the manufacturer would have you believe, it isn't a phaser after all) and law enforcement always backs up the Taser with lethal force. I just can't imagine a legitimate situation where a private citizen would use one instead of a gun. But, hey, do what you want.

I would double-check that "can be carried anywhere" statement for two reasons. 1. I know in at least some jurisdictions Taser's fall under the same rules as firearms regarding concealed carry. 2. If you get caught with it, the police (likely not knowing any better) will probably hook you up anyway.

One other thing I think many people don't realize. Unlike what you see on TV, when the 5 second ride is over (the amount of time the Taser automatically discharges into the person being shot) they don't lay around unconscious or what not. When the ride is over, you come back 100% right away. Translated as, if you shock someone you better be ready because they are coming for you after. Law Enforcement is taught to jump on them immediately and get them under control. As I said before, despite the company's marketing campaigns, I just don't see the Taser as a good civilian alternative to a firearm.